Laverne Cox opens up about the challenges of pursuing an acting career as a black, trans woman

There haven't been a lot of open doors on "Orange Is the New Black" star Laverne Cox's career path. As she explained during a Black History Month Q&A at Macy's in New York City this week, she's struggled to even find opportunities to audition as a black, trans woman. "Two years ago ... I was in the waiting room with actresses who were like, 'Oh my God, this is my fourth audition today. And I was like, 'Oh, I've never auditioned that much.' There have never been that many parts as a black, openly transgender woman," Laverne told the New York Post. "Because I am who I am, there probably have been fewer opportunities for me to work. I feel like we've made the very most of what we have been given ... I feel very blessed now." Laverne also revealed she has plans to move towards producing -- and she hopes she can help more people who identify with marginalized groups find roles. "Certainly there are fewer opportunities for someone like me being black and being trans and being a woman. In the face of that, it's not bad," she said. "The truth is I'm one of the lucky ones. The question for me becomes ... as I produce, how to bring other people along for the ride." Finally, looking back on a book about Black History Month that her mother gave her when she was young, the actress said she can be grateful because she understands the greater challenges that those who came before her faced. "For me, it's Black History Month every month, to be real. And for me, black history is American history," she said. "Yes it's been challenging for me being a black, trans woman doing my thing, but when I think about that, I'm thinking it's not as hard as how they had it."

Laverne Cox opens up about the challenges of pursuing an acting career as a black, trans woman

There haven't been a lot of open doors on "Orange Is the New Black" star Laverne Cox's career path. As she explained during a Black History Month Q&A at Macy's in New York City this week, she's struggled to even find opportunities to audition as a black, trans woman. "Two years ago ... I was in the waiting room with actresses who were like, 'Oh my God, this is my fourth audition today. And I was like, 'Oh, I've never auditioned that much.' There have never been that many parts as a black, openly transgender woman," Laverne told the New York Post. "Because I am who I am, there probably have been fewer opportunities for me to work. I feel like we've made the very most of what we have been given ... I feel very blessed now." Laverne also revealed she has plans to move towards producing -- and she hopes she can help more people who identify with marginalized groups find roles. "Certainly there are fewer opportunities for someone like me being black and being trans and being a woman. In the face of that, it's not bad," she said. "The truth is I'm one of the lucky ones. The question for me becomes ... as I produce, how to bring other people along for the ride." Finally, looking back on a book about Black History Month that her mother gave her when she was young, the actress said she can be grateful because she understands the greater challenges that those who came before her faced. "For me, it's Black History Month every month, to be real. And for me, black history is American history," she said. "Yes it's been challenging for me being a black, trans woman doing my thing, but when I think about that, I'm thinking it's not as hard as how they had it."

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